Which term is a broad written statement defining a course of action and stating what should be done?

Which term is a broad written statement defining a course of action and stating what should be done?

• A. Operational Plan
• B. Policy
• C. Contingency Plan
• D. Procedure

Answer: (C)

This is about planning for how to respond when something disrupts normal operations. A contingency plan is a broad written plan that outlines a course of action to take in the face of a potential disruption, clearly stating what should be done, who is responsible, and the sequence of steps to follow to protect people, assets, and operations. It’s about preparedness and reactive action—how to mitigate impact and restore functions when an unexpected event occurs. In contrast, a policy is more about guiding principles and rules that shape decisions; a procedure gives detailed, step-by-step instructions for performing a specific task; an operational plan translates policy into the concrete actions and resources needed to run day-to-day operations. The description here—defining an action plan for responding to contingencies and stating what should be done—fits the purpose of a contingency plan.

This is about planning for how to respond when something disrupts normal operations. A contingency plan is a broad written plan that outlines a course of action to take in the face of a potential disruption, clearly stating what should be done, who is responsible, and the sequence of steps to follow to protect people, assets, and operations. It’s about preparedness and reactive action—how to mitigate impact and restore functions when an unexpected event occurs.

In contrast, a policy is more about guiding principles and rules that shape decisions; a procedure gives detailed, step-by-step instructions for performing a specific task; an operational plan translates policy into the concrete actions and resources needed to run day-to-day operations. The description here—defining an action plan for responding to contingencies and stating what should be done—fits the purpose of a contingency plan.